Envelope Calligraphy Styles and Decisions!

Are you drowning in a sea of a million decisions for your wedding? I don't blame you. Weddings (and all large events for that matter) are expensive and chocked full of details that need to be nailed down to make a cohesive and fun experience for you and your guests. Today I'm hoping that I can make at least one of those decisions a little easier... your envelope design!

While the options are almost endless, making this decision does not have to be complicated at all. I love working off of the stationer's design to create envelopes that match the invitation inside and reflect the personality of the couple.

Currently I am offering three styles of calligraphy:

MODERN

The calligraphy seen here is upright instead of at a 55 degree angle like in Copperplate Calligraphy. Photo by Cat Buswell.

TRADITIONAL

Here the calligraphy is at a 55 degree angle and therefore looks more formal and elegant than the modern option. Photo by Cat Buswell.

and MONOLINE

Written in all lower case, there are no pressure strokes making this style very thin and unique. Photo by Amanda Dumouchelle.

So the first decision is: which style do you like best? The style of your invitation will likely make this choice very easy! Simply looking at the font used on your invitation could lead you strongly in one direction or another.

Decision #2: Ink Color

Any color is an option, which may seem daunting, but it's generally best to stick with a color that is found in your invitation suite and will also be reflected in the details on your wedding day. If you are using a metallic accent in your decor, I can mix a matching gold, silver or rose gold that will make your envelopes stand out. When in doubt (and your envelopes are light in color), black is always classic.

Decision #3: Layout

Left Justification, Center Justification, or Diagonal? I'd say that I most commonly do center justification (as seen in the first two photos) but for a very modern wedding, I love trying diagonal angles to reflect the uniqueness of the event and the couple.

Zip Code: In line or dropped? For a formal invitation, I would suggest keeping the zip code in line as it is traditional. But for a modern style wedding, dropping the zip code and spreading it along the bottom of the address can give the envelope a lot of personality!

Decision #4: Stamps

First things first, head to the post office with your envelope stuffed with your invitation suite and get it weighed to see how much postage needs to be applied. Different fees can apply for non traditional envelope shapes, so be aware! Also, if you plan on using a wax seal that will affect the weight, so apply that before weighing!

Personally, I think there's nothing worse than designing a beautiful calligraphed envelope then seeing a basic Forever stamp up in the corner. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but the stamp is a part of the full design and it's a shame to see the look thrown off by something so small!

These days there are tons of options out there from vintage stamps to custom stamps as well as a greater selection on the USPS website. Since you'll most likely be ordering your stamps online, you'll need to order in advance to make sure they come before your planned send date. Vintage stamps will take a little longer to apply as you are applying more per envelope and they tend not to be peel and stick!

And that's it! It may seem like a lot, but I promise that most of the decisions seem obvious once you have your invitation design together. I absolutely love consulting on design, so please reach out to me with any questions you may have!